Mass General Hospital Data Breach Exposes Health Information of 9,900 People
A data breach at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, has experienced a data breach in its neurology department that has exposed the private information of nearly 10,000 people, according to a report published last week in the Boston Globe.
As that newspaper reported on Aug. 22, “’An unauthorized third party’ accessed data in two computer programs used by researchers, Mass. General said.” Further, the Globe’s staff-written report stated, “The breach exposed data about participants in certain research programs, including their names, dates of birth, medical record numbers, and medical histories. Social Security numbers and financial information were not disclosed, according to the hospital.”
The incident occurred in June, the Globe reported, and the hospital has begun notifying people who were affected.”
“As soon as MGH discovered this incident, it took steps to prevent further unauthorized access,” spokesman Michael Morrison said in a statement to the Globe.
The statement posted on the hospital organization’s website on Aug. 22 began, “Massachusetts General Hospital (“MGH”) is notifying approximately 9,900 individuals of a privacy incident involving MGH’s Department of Neurology in connection with some of its research programs. On June 24, 2019,” the statement said, “MGH learned that an unauthorized third party had access to databases related to two computer applications used by researchers in the Department of Neurology for specific Neurology research studies. MGH immediately began an investigation into the matter. The investigation revealed that between June 10 and June 16, 2019 this unauthorized third party had access to databases containing research data used by certain Neurology researchers.”
Further, the statement read, “The research data varied according to the specific research study and may have included a participant’s first and last name, certain demographic information (such as marital status, sex, race, ethnicity), date of birth, dates of study visits and tests, medical record number, type of study and research study identification numbers, diagnosis and medical history, biomarkers and genetic information, types of assessments and results, and other research information. Some of the data reflects a subject’s participation many years ago. For deceased research participants, the research data included date of death, and, when available, summary autopsy results. The research data did not include any study participant’s Social Security Number, insurance information, or any financial information. The research data did not include any study participant’s address, phone number, or other contact information. The incident did not involve MGH’s medical records systems.”
The statement continued, “As soon as MGH discovered this incident, it took steps to prevent further unauthorized access and restore the affected research computer applications and databases. MGH also engaged a third-party forensic investigator to conduct a review and has contacted federal law enforcement as a precaution. MGH continues to review and enhance the security processes in place for its research programs. MGH is in the process of notifying affected individuals,” the statement added. “MGH does not believe there are any specific steps research study participants should take because of this incident; the data did not involve any Social Security Number, insurance or financial information.”
